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Post by gdforever on Aug 26, 2011 10:49:25 GMT -5
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds: album previewEpic, majestic songs, beautifully realizedwww.musicradar.com/news/guitars/noel-gallaghers-high-flying-birds-album-preview-491003Noel Gallagher strolled out onto the rooftop of New York's swanky Mondrian Soho Hotel last evening (25 August), exuding the sangfroid cool of a guy without a care in the world. The singer-songwriter and guitarist, casual chic in jeans and a fitted plaid shirt, his hair closely cropped, was in the Big Apple to say hello to an intimate gathering of label execs and journalists who had just heard a six-song preview of his upcoming solo album, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. 'Much-anticipated' solo album, that is. In a pre-playback speech, Mercury Records President David Massey, who during his time at Epic Records signed Oasis to the US, alluded to the fact that a Noel Gallagher disc was something that fans had clamored for since the band's debut in the early '90s. "But Noel was quite clear that there would would never be a solo album from him as long as there was Oasis," Massey said. A few minutes later, with glasses clinked and good cheers exchanged all around, we were treated to a generous helping of the ten tracks that make up Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. What follows are MusicRadar's general impressions of the songs - and it should be stressed that what we heard was in a group setting, with several chatty Cathy's nearby. 1. Everybody's On The Run A rousing opener. Epic in nature, recalling the grandeur of George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, with soaring background vocals and heart-tugging strings that blend for a massive dramatic sweep. Throughout, Noel sings like a desperate, impassioned soul, weaving melodies that swirl around one's head but stick like glue. The bridge has a classic rock feel, a symphonic build-up. Acoustic guitars overwhelm and lead into the last resounding chorus. Gradually, the music drifts away, leaving Noel, alone on a hilltop, singing the title hook. That's one smashing song! 2. Dream On No, not a cover of the Aerosmith classic, but on first listen it's a big-time sing-along. A jaunty, pounding beat joined by briskly strummed acoustics, it's something of a more aggressive She's Electric, but Noel, in a more throaty vocal, brings a new kind of charm to the proceedings. Brass dominates the middle section, with a trumpet solo that transports one to New Orleans. "Dream on/ shout it out to me," Noel pleads in the final chorus as drums and brass build, only to be overtaken by electric guitars that conclude the song with a rocking flourish. 3. If I Had A Gun Ever since leaked soundcheck demos of this song appeared on the internet, much interest has attended its studio rendering, and the results don't disappoint. After a bare bones, acoustic-and-vocal, quasi-Wonderwall opening, the song blossoms into just what might become a modern-day rock standard. Gallagher's vocals are emotional but never mawkish. The bridge and solo sections are stirring, with acoustic guitars and strings piling up. But it's Noel's double or triple-tracked harmonies, haunting and vulnerable, that really hit the target. Hands-down winner on this one. 4. The Death Of You And Me Being that it's the first single from High Flying Birds, the capoed acoustic intro that ushers in Noel's gentle falsetto is already familiar to millions. The overall mood is laid-back, '70s era Kinks, with a melancholy Gallagher singing, "High time, summer in the city/ kids are looking pretty/ but isn't it a pity in the sunshine." And, of course, he draws out that last word, making it almost a sneer - "sunshiiiiine." While the track bears an unmistakable resemblance to The Importance Of Being Idle, it gradually takes on its own form, looming larger, with another taste of New Orleans-style brass creeping in. 5. (I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine An endearing, wondrous cut. Over an acoustic guitar and a Phil Spectorish jingle stick, Noel begins singing what might be his own teenage symphony to God. Bass and electrics climb aboard, with Noel's double-tracked voice becoming mega. And then there's strings as he sings the title big and bold in a chorus that is bound to stick - we're talking cell-phones in the air. Whether it's an homage to the Wall Of Sound or not, the sonics increase, and before long Noel is at the top of his lungs, open-hearted and open-throated - it's a delirious feeling. After a brief, gentle break, the song breaks away into a grand gallop. Here's one pony that can't be tamed. 6. AKA... What A Life! A four-on-the-floor floor tom beat drives this incessant rocker. Noel, cynical and evil, sings with a world-weariness, and as he hammers home the chorus he again draws out the last word, making it "liiiiiiife." Piercing guitars link the verse and chorus sections, but it is with this song that an honest-to-goodness six-string solo finally breaks out - and it's ripping, barking and snarling. A final elongated verse ends the song on an ominous note, but it's one that leaves the listener breathlessly waiting for more.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2011 10:50:25 GMT -5
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2011 10:53:58 GMT -5
you. are. awesome. The news from Porkshire was right after all
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Post by deasy on Aug 26, 2011 10:55:03 GMT -5
I thought this was 30 second previews and nearly wet myself in excitement
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Post by gdforever on Aug 26, 2011 10:56:28 GMT -5
I thought this was 30 second previews and nearly wet myself in excitement I'm sorry Deasy! Didn't mean to be a tease.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2011 10:59:52 GMT -5
Record Machine sounds mega, and what a life just keeps building momentum in the excitement factor!!!
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crash
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Post by crash on Aug 26, 2011 11:07:59 GMT -5
Wow this is awesome, thanks so much! K+ The production sounds like it's gonna be amazing, seems like he really did throw the kitchen sink at it.
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Post by SunshineLullaby on Aug 26, 2011 11:15:01 GMT -5
I'm so fucking ready to hear a Spector/Brian Wilson version of Record Machine...and whatever the gallop is (something like Last Shadow Puppets, perhaps?) sounds amazing. Great job posting this. K+
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Post by gdforever on Aug 26, 2011 11:15:05 GMT -5
Interesting that the guy that took him on in America is the same guy that initially signed Oasis over there. Good to see that Noel still has some contacts over there and is using them.
It also seems that people can stop worrying about a dirth of hooks and big chorus singalongs.
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Post by ctmazin on Aug 26, 2011 11:18:42 GMT -5
Sounds awesome! Makes me want to order 40 copies and hand them out to my friends and family. Noel should hire that guy to write his press releases.
A part of me wishes there was a bit of criticism buried in there. Sounds too good to be true...
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Post by Unlikely Lad on Aug 26, 2011 11:19:18 GMT -5
After several disappointments down the years, I try keep level headed about unreleased songs or songs that we've only heard in demo/soundcheck form, but fuck me; I can't help myself from looking forward to IIHAG. Don't let me down Noel
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2011 11:19:26 GMT -5
Wow. That's the most positive review of N. Gallagher songs since The Masterplan.
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Post by songbirdsally on Aug 26, 2011 11:20:03 GMT -5
OMG it's still almost 2 months before we get to hear it and I'm reaaaaaaaaaaaallly excited already! I'm really looking forward to Everbody's On The Run! Thanks for posting this! Also, after all, it really seems to be true that the first guitar solo is only an track 6 ! A bit dissapointing that the one in Record Machine seems to be gone
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Post by bonkers on Aug 26, 2011 11:20:58 GMT -5
you. are. awesome. The news from Porkshire was right after all PORKSHIRE NEWS IS ALWAYS RIGHT!!!!
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Post by ceskojr on Aug 26, 2011 11:21:23 GMT -5
what a review. I cant stand it anymore, give us the album for god sake. Dream on..yeah..brass k+ of course ;D
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Post by SunshineLullaby on Aug 26, 2011 11:21:31 GMT -5
I'm glad that there isn't a guitar solo until track 6. That means he won't put them where they won't belong. He really is thinking about "the whole thing" this time around.
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Post by gdforever on Aug 26, 2011 11:24:22 GMT -5
Sounds awesome! Makes me want to order 40 copies and hand them out to my friends and family. Noel should hire that guy to write his press releases. A part of me wishes there was a bit of criticism buried in there. Sounds too good to be true... I'm just amazed there is only 1 Beatles reference mentioned! It does kind of make you wait for the other foot to drop though, you're right... I'm encourage that they trotted out the first 6 tracks though and didn't cherry pick through the album. Like they didn't seem to be trying to stack the odds and not airing the filler. If I'm cynical it's because the quality drops off after track 6. But seeing as I am feeling happy...it must be to keep something amazing in the bag for later when the album goes out for review there is still something to knock the journalists out.
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Post by SunshineLullaby on Aug 26, 2011 11:26:26 GMT -5
If one wants to be cynical you could say all three of the rumored singles are in the first six, so there may well be a dropoff in quality. But I'd rather think this is just a fantastic album.
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Post by Iliad ♣ on Aug 26, 2011 11:28:30 GMT -5
1: Thanks gdforever for the post! 2: Thanks for Bonkers who was right after all! 3: After reading this I honestly can't wait for the album!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2011 11:29:16 GMT -5
He said it was supposed to be a six song preview. Therefore perhaps they were ONLY allowed to review the first six tracks. Don't worry, Stop The Clocks is supposed to be an album highlight.
The most negative song review is probably the single. He doesn't have anything bad to say but the critic refrains from using superlatives.
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Post by gdforever on Aug 26, 2011 11:32:38 GMT -5
He said it was supposed to be a six song preview. Therefore perhaps they were ONLY allowed to review the first six tracks. Don't worry, Stop The Clocks is supposed to be an album highlight. The most negative song review is probably the single. He doesn't have anything bad to say but the critic refrains from using superlatives. I know that they only let them listen to the first 6 songs. I was half joking about the drop off in quality. But then again...think if DOYS. If they let someone listen to the first 6 of that imagine the reviews. Good point on TDOYAM. I noticed the lack of enthusiasm there as well. That could have something to do with the fact that everyone that cares is already familiar with it. I've never been THAT keen on STC except the outro. hope it turned out better. I'm excited about the descriptions of Noel vocals as well! It sounds like he went for a more emotive approach which is where he shines instead of trying to fake a pseudo-rock vocal.
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Post by Unlikely Lad on Aug 26, 2011 11:33:37 GMT -5
If one wants to be cynical you could say all three of the rumored singles are in the first six, so there may well be a dropoff in quality. But I'd rather think this is just a fantastic album. Was thinking the same thing actually, but realised its only followed by 4 songs, of which Stop the Clocks (which, if not spectacular going by the demo, is nonetheless a solid track). I'm confident the whole alboom will be solid, have faith ;D
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Post by bonkers on Aug 26, 2011 11:33:56 GMT -5
i feel vindicated now for sticking my neck on the line last night PORKSHIRE RULES!!!!
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Post by beadyeyeunofficial on Aug 26, 2011 11:37:17 GMT -5
Noel fans should be worried since he didn't review the last four songs...obviously they weren't that special!
Compare that to the last four songs on DGSS - Wigwam, Three Ring Circus, The Beat Goes On, The Morning Son.
Noel has to pull something special out of the bag to beat that lot!
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Post by Unlikely Lad on Aug 26, 2011 11:37:29 GMT -5
i feel vindicated now for sticking my neck on the line last night PORKSHIRE RULES!!!! Where is this Porkshire? I feel like moving to pastures new and the seemingly very reliable nature of the place appeals to me
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